Why are farmers in Maharashtra's poor rainfall areas shifting millet, sorghum, maize, mung beans

By Vikas Meshram*

Since ancient times, farmers have selected crops based on local climatic conditions. However, with climate change, maintaining traditional crops has become increasingly difficult. Some crops may adapt to changing climatic conditions, while others may suffer from reduced productivity. To combat this crisis, it is essential for farmers to adopt climate-resilient crops.

Climate-resilient crops are those that can thrive in specific climatic conditions, yield higher production, and possess greater resistance. For example, crops that can withstand rising temperatures, require less water, and are pest-resistant are considered climate-resilient. Adopting such crops can be beneficial for farmers. It leads to water conservation, soil protection, increased productivity, and enhanced economic stability in agriculture. Moreover, adopting climate-resilient crops can help farmers mitigate losses caused by changing climatic conditions.

Farmers need research and training to adopt climate-resilient crops. They should be provided with information about new methods, technologies, and crop varieties. Scientists, agricultural universities, and government institutions should guide farmers on climate-resilient crops. For this purpose, it is necessary to organize various workshops, demonstrations, and farmer conventions.

For example, in some parts of Maharashtra, due to reduced rainfall, crops like millet, sorghum, maize, and mung beans are prioritized. These crops require less water and can be easily cultivated in drought-prone areas. Additionally, in some regions, climate-resilient rice varieties are adopted, reducing water usage and increasing production. The use of organic farming practices helps retain soil moisture, leading to better growth of climate-resilient crops.

The negative impacts of climate change have threatened our food supply, a reality that cannot be ignored. Changes in monsoon patterns, deadly heatwaves, rising sea levels, and frequent storms have endangered agricultural production. In this context, the recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned about these risks. Undoubtedly, the harmful effects of climate change have reached our fields and homes, a challenge that can be met with new strategies.

Concerns are being raised about significant reductions in agricultural production and crop yields due to the effects of climate change. This crisis is particularly severe for small farmers who rely entirely on monsoon rains. In such circumstances, special initiatives are needed to maintain production levels in adverse conditions.

In this direction, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) started a project a decade ago focusing on innovations in climate-resilient farming. Recently, several high-yielding climate-resilient crop varieties were launched by the Prime Minister as part of this initiative. The government’s priority is to increase the area under rice cultivation with climate-resistant seeds, especially after successfully developing high-yielding wheat seeds. Without a doubt, we can tackle this severe environmental challenge through sustainable indigenous solutions, which require encouraging private sector participation.

The harmful effects of climate change have reached our fields and homes, a challenge that can be met with new strategies

There is no shortage of programs in the country to adapt to climate change, but there is a need to promote prudent management of available resources. It is crucial to make better use of resources to protect agricultural production from the harmful effects of climate change and safeguard farmers' interests.

Along with this, initiatives should be taken to enhance soil fertility through schemes like water conservation, forest protection, and soil health cards. The use of chemical fertilizers in farming should also be controlled. In this context, there is a need to accelerate the crop diversification program, for which farmers need to be made aware and encouraged.

It is encouraging that organic farming is being promoted on a large scale in many states across the country. However, this program should be nationwide. Incentive schemes in this direction can pave the way for farmers to adopt organic farming.

It is also a reality that merely creating new technologies will not solve the problem. Scientific research needs to be brought to the fields. By utilizing these, farmers can accelerate crop cultivation. Indeed, it is also necessary to practically address what is beneficial for farmers.

There is a need to create nationwide consensus among farmers to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices. For this, both modern research and experiential studies should be prioritized. To truly accelerate these efforts, adequate financial resources must be made available for research, and conclusions useful for agriculture should be delivered to farmers. In this increasingly dire situation, the challenge needs to be included in the national priorities.

We must recognize the reality that we are the most populous country in the world. For the social security of a large population, numerous food grain schemes are run through government granaries. This can only be fulfilled by increasing food grain production, which is possible when our agriculture is capable of coping with the adverse effects of climate change.

---

*Social worker and activist working for the rights of tribal and marginalized communities

Comments

King Corona and his descendents: How long will the Dynasty last?

By Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD* “Corona ” is in the media once again, precipitating a déjà-vu feeling and some amount of panic among the people. Among viruses and microorganisms King Corona and its descendents enjoy Royalty Status. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This classic quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is well known. But does it hold well in current times? The events during the past five years challenge the Bard's view.

India’s 2021 excess deaths: was it the virus — or the containment frenzy?

By Bhaskaran Raman* Tyagu (name changed), a vegetable vendor recalls of his brother’s death in 2021. The victim had a normal fever, but was forcibly taken away to the hospital saying that it was Covid. He had been coerced into taking the Covid-19 “vaccines” by that time. After 10 days in hospital, he died. There was no proper information during his hospital stay, and no one was allowed to visit, saying that visitors could also get Covid.

Old bias, new excuses: How western media misrepresents India’s anti-terror strikes

By Gajanan Khergamker The recent Indian military strikes on Pakistan, dubbed Operation Sindoor, have sparked a storm of international media coverage. Several prominent outlets have portrayed India as the aggressor in the escalating conflict, raising concerns over biased reporting. This commentary critiques coverage by foreign media outlets such as The New York Times , Reuters, BBC, and CNN, which have often been accused of framing India’s actions as escalatory while downplaying or omitting critical context regarding Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism. By examining historical patterns and current geopolitical dynamics, this analysis highlights the recurring selective framing, omission of evidence, and a tendency to favor narratives aligned with Western geopolitical interests over factual nuance.

जैविक जीवित संसाधनों व प्रकृति पर निर्भर मजदूरों की व्यापक आर्थिक सुरक्षा कैसे हो?

- राज कुमार सिन्हा* भारत में 60 करोड़ से अधिक लोग भूमि, जल, जंगल और समुद्र जैसे प्राकृतिक स्रोतों पर निर्भर हैं । देश में 14.6 करोड़ छोटे और सीमांत किसान, 14.4 करोड़ खेतिहर मजदूर ( बड़ी संख्या में दलित हैं), 27.5 करोड़ वन निवासी, 2.8 करोड़ मछुआरे, 1.3 करोड़ पशुपालक और 1.7 करोड़ कारीगर हैं जो सीधे तौर पर प्रकृति के साथ और प्रकृति के भरोसे काम कर रहे हैं । लगभग 6 करोड़ मौसमी मजदूर हैं जो काम के सिलसिले में लगातार अपने गांव से बाहर जाते हैं और लौटते हैं। प्रकृति निर्भर समुदायों की आर्थिक गतिविधियां जो बड़े पैमाने पर जीवन निर्वाह और छोटी आय के लिए है। वर्तमान आर्थिक नीतियों के कारण, जो कॉर्पोरेट्स और बड़े व्यवसायों का समर्थन करती है, प्रकृति निर्भर समुदाय के लिए अव्यवहारिक होती जा रही है।

राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी: जल जीवन मिशन के लक्ष्य को पाने समन्वित प्रयास जरूरी

- राज कुमार सिन्हा* जल संसाधन से जुड़ी स्थायी समिति ने वर्तमान लोकसभा सत्र में पेश रिपोर्ट में बताया है कि "नल से जल" मिशन में राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी साबित हुए हैं। जबकि देश के 11 राज्यों में शत-प्रतिशत ग्रामीणों को नल से जल आपूर्ति शुरू कर दी गई है। रिपोर्ट में समिति ने केंद्र सरकार को सिफारिश की है कि मिशन पुरा करने में राज्य सरकारों की समस्याओं पर गौर किया जाए।

Crying air, water, and earth: A call to conserve our dying natural resources

By Dr. Gurinder Kaur* Air, water, and earth—these natural resources are essential for the survival of all living beings, including humans, animals, and plants. Life in any form is impossible without them. These are precious gifts of nature to humankind. However, in the pursuit of economic growth, modern humans have severely polluted these valuable resources in an attempt to satisfy their greed.

21-day security operation targets Maoist presence, prompts questions on civil impact

By Harsh Thakor* Union Home Minister Amit Shah has described a recent counter-insurgency operation along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border as a significant achievement for Indian security forces in their efforts against Maoist groups. The three-week-long operation in the Karreguttalu Hills reportedly resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals identified as members of Maoist formations.

Civil society group voices concern over government response to Pahalgam attack

By A Representative Citizens for Democracy (CFD), a civil society group, has expressed serious concern over the government's response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. While unequivocally condemning the violence, CFD raised alarm about what it sees as an excessive and politically motivated reaction by the authorities. CFD acknowledged the widespread condemnation of the attack from all sections of society, including strong protests led by local Kashmiri Muslims. However, it criticized the government for failing to provide a transparent account of the security lapses that allowed the attack to occur. It also noted the absence of a clear plan for accountability or a high-level inquiry into the incident. The group questioned the initiation of Operation Sindoor, describing it as a move driven more by domestic political considerations than strategic necessity. CFD warned that such military actions risk long-term instability and divert attention from peaceful an...

Ninety years of the socialist movement in India: What's the path head

By Dr. Sunilam* We are all aware of what the leaders active in the socialist movement have accomplished over the past 90 years. We are also well-acquainted with the sacrifices made by leaders and workers during the freedom struggle and the socialist movement. For the past 45 years, since I became interested in joining the socialist movement as an activist, I have been keen on understanding and analyzing its history. Inspired by 101-year-old freedom fighter Dr. G.G. Parikh and in collaboration with comrades from the Socialist Samagam, I have actively participated in organizing events to mark the 82nd, 85th, and now the 90th anniversaries of the socialist movement.

Search This Blog